Residents could have up to four chickens in backyard

The Niles City Council tonight will provide a first reading of a new ordinance that would allow Niles residents to keep chickens in residential areas.

Although city officials have discussed the matter at length in recent months, this is the first time a draft of the ordinance has been made available to the public.

Tonight’s first reading will be first of a few steps needed before the ordinance can be adopted. City Clerk Linda Casperson said a second reading would take place at the council’s July 11 meeting prior to the council considering it for a vote.

According to the new ordinance, residents would be allowed to keep no more than four chickens at one residential location. Roosters are not allowed.

Chickens would have to be confined to pen area that includes a coop, and would not be allowed free-range outside the pen area.

The pen area would have to be located no closer than 15 feet from any property line and no closer than 25 feet from any neighboring residence or occupied structure. Pens would have to be in the back yard.

The pen area would have to be at least two square feet in area for each chicken. The coop would have to be at least one square foot in area for each chicken. Both the coop and pen would need to be impenetrable to other animals.

Chicken owners would also have to keep the pens clean and could not sell poultry products on the premises.

Violations of the ordinance could result in a misdemeanor charge.